Meet the founder
Stephen Knoll
Three decades behind the chair and on set, from a Wisconsin
childhood to a Manhattan salon and a Japanese laboratory.
Stephen Knoll New York emerged in NYC, where the world's artists, creators, and influencers come together, drawing inspiration from the raw energy and diversity of the City.
Hair stylist Stephen Knoll founded his Midtown salon in 1991, in the heart of Manhattan, blocks from Central Park. Catering to a celebrity clientele and discerning New Yorkers alike, Stephen has been at the genesis of styling and fashion trends for three decades.
To enable his busy, on-the-go clients to replicate salon quality results they love between styling sessions, Stephen sought to create a superior range of haircare products that could deliver the professional standards his customers expect.
He found his holy grail in Japanese innovation. Collaborating with Kosé, the leaders in beauty technology, they created Stephen Knoll New York, premium, customizable styling and haircare products that meet the needs of a discerning clientele from New York to Tokyo, Toronto to Rio.
New York Aesthetic, Japanese Ingenuity
The long version
How he got here
Wisconsin
Cutting at age eleven Born in Wisconsin and drawn to hair design from early childhood. By high school he was already styling the women of his hometown.
New York
The move was inevitable After a brief period in New York's top salons, Stephen began a flourishing freelance career behind the chair and on set.
Editorial
Campaigns and covers Advertising campaigns and editorial work in Vogue, Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, Cosmopolitan and countless others.
1991
The salon opens His namesake salon opens on the Upper East Side, making him one of the few stylists active as both a salon and session stylist.
Today
Salon and set Stephen still works his salon and photo sessions, traveling for clients who fly in from around the world for his cut.
Session work
Salon stylist, session stylist
Advertising campaigns and editorial pages, shot on location and in studio. Opening his namesake salon in 1991 made him one of the few contemporary stylists active in both worlds at once.
The method
“There is no pre-conceived look and no house cut.”
His art is inspired by each individual client's face, not by a current fad. Each face becomes a canvas he frames flawlessly. It is the same principle that runs through every formula on this site: the product should serve your hair, never the other way around.
1991
Salon founded on the Upper East Side
3
Decades at the genesis of styling trends
Kosé
Japanese beauty-technology partner
4
Patented nanocapsule systems
Still behind the chair
Book with Stephen
Clients travel in from around the world for his cut and his read on what their hair should do next. Availability is limited. Call the salon to ask about his book.
The line he built
Salon results, between visits
